U.S. Imports Of Barite, By Country Or Locality

This table presents detailed data on the quantities and values of barite imported into the United States from various countries and localities, categorized by the form of the mineral—crude, ground, and other sulfates of barium. This information is critical for understanding the supply chain dynamics of barite, a mineral widely used in the oil and gas industry as a weighting agent in drilling fluids, as well as in manufacturing and chemical applications. Tracking import sources and volumes helps assess market dependencies, price fluctuations, and potential supply risks, which are vital for industrial planning and economic analysis.

Analysis of the data reveals significant shifts in the U.S. barite import landscape between 2022 and 2023. Total imports for consumption increased markedly from 628,000 metric tons in 2022 to 999,000 metric tons in 2023, with the overall quantity of barite imports rising from 2.33 million metric tons to 2.42 million metric tons. India emerged as the leading supplier of crude barite, nearly doubling its exports to the U.S. from 288,000 metric tons in 2022 to 609,000 metric tons in 2023, accompanied by a value increase from $33.7 million to $61.2 million. Morocco also showed a substantial rise in crude barite exports, jumping from 19,100 metric tons to 174,000 metric tons. Conversely, China’s crude barite exports decreased from 280,000 metric tons to 152,000 metric tons, reflecting a notable shift in sourcing. Ground barite imports declined overall, from 1.68 million metric tons in 2022 to 1.41 million metric tons in 2023, with India’s ground barite imports falling from 786,000 to 561,000 metric tons and Morocco’s dropping sharply from 440,000 to 184,000 metric tons. Mexico’s ground barite exports to the U.S. increased significantly, from 217,000 to 332,000 metric tons. These trends highlight evolving trade relationships and shifting supply patterns in the U.S. barite market.